Do I have a chance?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>I'm a rising senior and I think that I will be applying to CAS. Any suggestions as to how I can improve my chances would be greatly appreciated!</p>

<p>GPA: 3.9 (UW) but my school counts an A- as 4 points. If I count my A-s as 3.7 and take out "fluff" courses, my GPA would be around 3.85.</p>

<p>My course load isn't crazy, but it's pretty rigorous.</p>

<p>ACT: 32 composite (30 E 33 M 32 R 34 S)
Superscore: 34 composite (35 E 33 M 32 R 34 S)
I know that Cornell doesn't exactly superstore the ACT, but I am told that they do consider the highest scores from each section. </p>

<p>SAT II: 790 Math II, 720 Chem</p>

<p>AP tests: Gov (5), Chem (3)</p>

<p>Extra Curriculars</p>

<p>-About ten years of piano and three years of guitar (self-taught), but I haven't played competitively in either one.
-BBYO (youth group) all throughout high school.
I was the newspaper editor and I made a video for a statewide competition in the organization. We won first place in both newspaper and video.
-Robotics team for two years.
-I got about 30 volunteer hours working for a two-week Lego Robotics camp as a counselor during the summer.
-"Summer in the City" for a year. It's a community service organization for the bettering of Detroit and I got about 45 volunteer hours working with them that summer.
-Quizbowl
-I have a job during the school year at my synagogue as a Hebrew school assistant once a week.
-I have a job as a dishwasher</p>

<p>Also, I'm Hispanic and have been recognized by the National Hispanic Recognition Program.
I also am a National Merit Commended student.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Is there a specific academic area you have in mind?</p>

3

<p>Not exactly, although I tend to lean toward math and science.</p>

4

<p>Yes you have a chance. No one else can tell you any better than that.</p>

5

<p>Rednaz</p>

<p>As I was reading your scores and grades, I had the following thoughts</p>

<p>3.85 – Excellent grades, well within Cornell’s range.
32 ACT – better than the mean for admitted students, though lower than the 75th percentile. If they count it as a 34, that puts you over the 75th percentile line.</p>

<p>ECs look fine – they won’t blow anyone away, but shouldn’t be a negative either.</p>

<p>So my thinking is above average chance of admissions. Add to this that you are an URM, and I’d say you have an excellent chance of admissions and definitely should apply. </p>

<p>As with everyone, things such as essays and recommendations will be the determining factor.</p>

6

<p>Thanks for the feedback!</p>